..The MYO6 gene maps to human chromosome 6q13. The isolation of the human gene makes it now possible to determine if mutations in MYO6 contribute to the pathogenesis of deafness in the human population...

..These results help towards providing a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms of hair cell death, which might lead to the development of new therapeutic anti-apoptotic agents to alleviate hereditary hearing loss (HL)...

..These results identify Gfi1 as the first downstream target of a hair cell specific transcription factor and suggest that outer hair cell degeneration in Pou4f3 mutants is largely or entirely a result of the loss of expression of Gfi1...

Identification and chromosomal localization of Atm, the mouse homolog of the ataxia-telangiectasia gene

..Learning more about the connexin family in general and about connexin 26 in particular can shed light on the pathogenesis of the inner ear and bring us closer to finding clinical solutions for the hearing impaired...

..Altogether, the three comorbidities of hyperactivity, anxiety, and disorientation can be presented as a syndrome associated with vestibular deficiency in this animal model, and serve in studying vestibular deficiency in humans...

MicroRNAs are essential for development and function of inner ear hair cells in vertebrates

..Overall, studies in genetics have provided research scientists and clinicians with insight regarding practical implications for the hearing impaired, while heralding hope for future development of therapeutics...

A mutation in GJB3 is associated with recessive erythrokeratodermia variabilis (EKV) and leads to defective trafficking of the connexin 31 protein

..We conclude that zebrafish myo6b is required for maintaining the integrity of the apical surface of hair cells, suggesting a conserved role for myosin VI in regulation of actin-based interactions with the plasma membrane...

..Additionally, BDNF expression is reduced in the inner ear of a Brn-3c mutant mouse during embryogenesis. Our data suggest that Brn-3c may play a role in regulating neurotrophin gene expression in the inner ear...